SAN ĠILJAN TUM INVEST…………16
SLIEMA FRANK SALT…………………8
(3-1), (4-2), (4-2), (5-3)
After securing the title last Saturday, San Ġiljan Tum Invest maintained their perfect record, notching their 13th win in as many matches by defeating Sliema Frank Salt 16-8. Despite facing Sliema, it was a routine win for San Ġiljan as they dictated play from start to finish, scoring brilliant goals and leaving their opponents with no chance to keep up.
Sliema had Michael Spiteri Staines and Nicholas Bugelli missing, while San Ġiljan had their captain Matthew Zammit out as he is still recovering from an ear infection, and was rested to play in next Saturday’s knock-out.
Jerome Gabarretta opened the score for Sliema as San Ġiljan started the match slowly. But as soon as the saints started to play, they managed to equalise with a goal from the right by Aurelien Cousin, went in front with a deflected shot from Ivovic and consolidated their advantage with a personal action by Dino Zammit.
In the second session, the rhythm of the game kept swaying towards San Ġiljan. The new champions continued to increase their advantage with co-ordinated attacks and good finishing as they controlled the game. Sliema were the most close to their opponents after Molina had made the partial score 5-3 with a brilliant backhand.
San Ġiljan’s lead continued to widen gradually, and their superiority was confirmed when coach Orlovic began rotating his players, giving youngsters in the team more time in the water. And they did not let him down, as their grit and constant swimming made things all the more difficult for Sliema. On one occasion, Tristan Said completed a well-organised manoeuvre to slot the ball home like a veteran.
Sliema responded to the goals by Ivovic and Dino Zammit with goals from Molina and a good left-hand shot by Zach Mizzi. But San Ġiljan extended their lead to six goals with a good run by Ben Plumpton and a typical shot by Ivovic to remove any doubts where the game was heading.
(Photos Domenic Aquilina)
The last session was a formality, but San Ġiljan continued playing with their usual rhythm and scoring also wonderful goals, with Dino Zammit making the score 15-8 with a splendid backhand. Coach Marko Orlovic gave also the chance for the supporters to applaud Aleksandar Ivovic as he was substituted with three minutes left to spare.
San Ġiljan: J. Tanti, P. Borg (2), A. Galea (1), B. Grech, J. Galea, T. Said (1), B. Plumpton (3), Da. Zammit (1), A. Ivovic (4), A. Cousin (1), P. Fava, Di. Zammit (3), T. Micallef
Sliema: R. Coleiro, J. Gabarretta (3), E. Aquilina, C. Cluett, G. Molina (4), K. Dowling, B. Cachia, L. Galea, M. Meli, Z. Mizzi (1), R. Greco, Z. Sciberras
Referees: Mario Dalli, Alessio Acierno
Marsaskala keep their slim hopes alive
MARSASKALA TRANSCRIPTA.....11
TA’ XBIEX AMIGOS.....................6
(4-2), (2-1), (2-3), (3-0)
Marsaskala kept their very slim hopes of winning the title alive, when they defeated bottom-placed Ta’ Xbiex Amigos 11-6. A deserved win for them as all in all they were better in attacking and defending, despite having their chief scorer Andrija Vlahovic tightly marked by the Spaniard Balasz Sziranyi.
Marsaskala won the first session 4-2, a lead they deserved as they were finishing their attacks more than their opponents. Mikhael and Jean-Claude Cutajar gave Marsaskala the lead twice but youngster Mattias Ortoleva equalised twice. Marsaskala’s superiority resulted in a brace by centre Stephen Micallef, an advantage that gave a clear picture in the game.
Pierre Borg’s team continued to get the better of their opponents. They managed to open up a four-goal lead through Nicholas Farrugia and Stephen Micallef, but Ta’ Xbiex held on and reduced the margin with a goal by Rheinhard Attard.
After the break, Ta’ Xbiex took advantage from the indecisions by Marsaskala and at times were even only a goal down. But the goal by Michele Agius assured that Marsaskala kept the margin of two goals ahead of the last session.
Ta’ Xbiex failed to produce another good session in the last eight minutes. They weren’t able to open up their opponents, and when they did, they missed chances from close range. Marsaskala needed a brace by Andrija Vlahovic to secure the points, as the first division top scorer rounded the win with a solo action.
Marsaskala: K. Schembri, J.C. Cutajar (1), N. Farrugia (1), C. Bonello, A. Vlahovic (3), M. Cutajar (1), K. Navarro (1), J. Busuttil, S. Micallef (3), M. Agius (1), D. Cassar, B. Muscat
Ta’ Xbiex: J. Micallef, B. Sziranyi, M. Camilleri, C. Farrugia, K. Mock, M. Ortoleva (4), E. Gravina, L. Saliba, M. Pullicino, R. Attard (2), M. Pace, L. Pace
Referees: Massimo Angileri, Alessio Acierno